Veterinary Business Management (PgCert (VBM))

The University of Liverpool's new Veterinary Business Management programme is open to anyone currently engaged in veterinary business management, including practice/office managers and veterinary staff.

Aims:

  1. To develop comprehensive understanding of the core areas of veterinary business management; finance and accounting, human resources, marketing and business strategy and entrepreneurship.
  2. To develop the ability to reflect critically on the subject matter and apply it to real world veterinary business settings in a systematic manner.
  3. To produce graduates who meet the requirements of potential employers in a veterinary industry through the ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and with the capacity for self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Demonstrate a critical awareness of the importance of vision and mission statements in the management of veterinary business.
  • Demonstrate an ability to evaluate critically, current business strategies that may be used in small to medium sized enterprises with reference to the current literature.
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of financial accounting, management accounting and marketing techniques.
  • Demonstrate a critical awareness of current human resource management theories and different management structures.
  • Demonstrate a critical awareness of the value of a business plan and its wide distribution within an organisation.
  • Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the challenges faced by, and the advantages held by entrepreneurial enterprises and relate them to real world settings.

Method of Teaching

The PgCert (VBM) is provided 100% online, so you can study from home and you are continuously assessed throughout the modules. When you access the structured modules, the topics and assessment deadlines are listed, so you can plan ahead around busy work/home commitments.

You will receive full library access and extensive peer to peer interaction is encouraged through the use of discussion boards where students can interact and collaborate, bouncing ideas between colleagues and academic staff within the virtual 'classroom'.

The structure of the modules is such that learning materials and assessments are provided on a weekly basis allowing candidates to work through each module at a steady pace. Weekly time commitments may vary week to week, but you are expected to study approximately 8 hours a week.

Assessment

Assessment is on-going and throughout each module there are a number of assignments with set submission dates and feedback provided by module tutors. Assignments take various forms, including essays, short answer questions and assessed discussion boards reflecting the study material learnt against the candidates' own business experience.

Programme Structure 

The Postgraduate Certificate in Veterinary Business Management comprises six modules to be studied on a part-time basis over 2 years (3 modules per year).

All candidates will start via the Introduction to Veterinary Business Management in September each year (term 1) and continue each of the six modules in prescribed order:

VETS735 Introduction to Veterinary Business Management
VETS734 Business Strategy and Entrepreneurship
VETS733 Marketing
VETS732 Human Resources
VETS731 Finance Accounting and Resource Management
 VETS736  Work Based Learning

 

Timetable 

  • All modules must be completed in a specific prescribed order only.
  • All modules should be completed within two years of commencement of the first module.
  • Commencement of the programme is only once per year in September. 

Current timetables can be found here: New VBM Timetable.

 

Eligibility 

Applicants must:

  • Have a recognised undergraduate degree (FHEQ level 6) in veterinary science, veterinary nursing or a business management related subject.
  • AND be working in Veterinary Business Management for over 12 months, with a reference from their current employer or colleague (if they are the employer) stating that they will have access to business data and supported to do the programme.
  • However, for applicants without the necessary prerequisite HE training, but working in Veterinary Business Management for over 12 months, they will be considered on a case-by-case basis for entry onto the programme with a minimum of 2 references required. For applicants who have not been in full time education for a number of years, a written submission of work answering a discipline related question (500 words) will be required to determine their suitability and ability to work at level 7. This will be assessed by the programme Director.
  • If the applicant is from a country where English is not the first language they will be required to show evidence of attainment of English at a minimum IELTS score of 7 or equivalent.

Fees 

Fees for 2024/25 to be paid in full per year at the time of booking:

  • Year 1 - £1650
  • Year 2 - £2310

How to Enrol 

Candidates wishing to apply to start in September 2024 should complete the Veterinary Business Management (PgCert(VBM)) Registration Form in the first instance, by the application deadline of 18 July 2024. Candidates who are eligible will be sent a booking form to register for each year.

A copy of the registration form can be found here: VBM Registration Form 2024